Numerous analyses show that international employees create value and growth that benefits not only Danish companies, but also the Danish society. With a shortage of qualified labour, international recruitment is worth considering for all companies regardless of size with ambitions to grow in the coming years:

• Access to special skills and knowledge – When local talent is not enough. Specialised companies may need special skills and competencies, which are insufficiently available in the Danish workforce.
• International insight and easier access to the global market – A boost to exports. International employees with knowledge of foreign markets, languages, culture and local conditions may lead to an enlarged international customer base and enhanced customer satisfaction.
• Diversity as breeding ground for innovation and growth – New perspectives lead to new opportunities. Diversified teams often perform and innovate better than homogeneous teams.
• An internationally oriented workplace – Increased attractiveness in Denmark and abroad. Danish and international talents are increasingly attracted towards building a career in an international working environment.

Confederation of Danish Industry (DI) collaborates with a range of organisations, who specialises in attraction and recruitment of international employees:  

• Business Region Aarhus is a business-political collaboration between 12 East Jutlandic municipalities such as the initiative Headstart, which supports local businesses by attracting and retaining international talent from around the world towards a new job and life in Central Jutland. International Community works on retainment within the same area.
• Copenhagen Capacity helps businesses in Denmark to attract and retain specialized international labor, among others, through its regional career portal  Greater Copenhagen Career Portal where businesses can share their job postings with international candidates in and outside Denmark. In International House Cph, the focus is on receiving and retaining internationals in the Copenhagen area.
• Destination AARhus  focuses on helping mainly IT companies in Greater Aarhus to secure the international employees they need.
• EksportJob is developed by Foreningen Nydansker in collaboration with Jobindex. Here, you can search for CVs for individuals with another ethnic background.
• International House North Denmark helps businesses in North Jutland to attract and employ international employees.
• State of Denmark: check out the guide containing help and guidance for businesses with regard to recruitment and employment of international labor.
• Work-live-stay helps businesses in Funen and South Jutland with attracting and retaining international labor.
• Workindenmark provides information, guidance and digital self-service tools. Businesses can get guidance on international recruitment and share their job postings internationally. Workindenmark is part of the Ministry of Employment and the European recruitment network EURES.
• At virk.dk you can find more information about attracting, recruiting and hiring international employees. Here, you will find, among others, an overview of events within e.g. international recruitment.

The first meeting with Denmark and the new workforce

Experience shows that it is a good idea to use mentors already in the recruitment process. Most often, the mentor is one of the company’s own employees who can answer questions of a technical but in many cases also more private nature. Consider if it would be relevant for the organisation as well as for the team that the new international employee joins.

International Citizen Service (ICS)

There are many practical matters to deal with when moving to a new country. The International Citizen Service (ICS) in Denmark provides a single access point to the various authori­ties and offers international employees personal assistance throughout the process. From CPR (personal identification number), work permit, health insurance and tax, to help with housing search and job-hunting for the accompanying partner, the ICS is here to help your new international employee settle in quick.

Experiences from a number of companies show that a decisive factor for whether an international employee chooses to stay in Denmark is whether he or she and the accompanying partner/family feel integrated at work as well as in Denmark. It is important that the company do its part to make the international employee settle well, not only in the company but also outside working hours.

There is a great variety of activities, initiatives, programs and networks tar­geted at international employees across Denmark.

Networking through Expat in Denmark

The largest nationwide network for international business professionals is Expat in Denmark. The network is hosted by the Confederation of Danish Industry and offers information and news about living and working in Denmark. It also offers your international employee a platform to share knowledge and experiences with like-minded.

It is worth while encour­aging your international employees to keep up with Expat in Denmark on Facebook to stay updated on latest events across the country and Expat in Denmark on Instagram to follow weekly takeovers from other internationals living and working in Denmark.